A special look at Norway’s six most attractive and interesting cities - Oslo, Haugesund, Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim, and Ålesund.
Oslo
A city break or a country break? In Oslo you can have both.
Oslo - Norway’s capital city lies at the tip of the stunning Oslofjord, surrounded by wooded hills, whilst charming and historically important buildings serve as the backdrop for a modern and bustling shopping environment. The combination of city attractions and spectacular countryside makes Oslo a truly unique short break destination.
Shop until you drop!
Oslo is a true shopper’s paradise with everything from charming boutique designer shops and impressive department stores to fascinating antique shops and buzzing flea-markets.
Along the main street of Karl Johans Gate, you will find some of Oslo’s biggest stores such as Oslo City, Christiania Glasmagasin and Steen & Strøm. Just along from the bustling harbour Aker Brygge, you’ll discover House of Oslo – Norway’s first and only department store specializing in Scandinavian and international interior design. Husfliden and Oleana are two shops really worth checking out if you’re looking for Norwegian knitwear and handicrafts.
Majorstua, located behind the Royal Palace has a great mix of elegant designer stores such as Tatler and Max Mara to the popular high street fashions of H&M and Zara. Slightly further west, Frogner is known for its upmarket designer stores as well as some excellent contemporary design and furniture shops.
The Bislet area has some fashionable independent boutiques such as Pur Norsk, Eske and Jane Doe. Grünerløkka is a really cool arty area by the Aker River – many jewellery designers, potters, sculptors, musicians and painters have chosen to live and work here.
Other must sees in the city include some of Norway’s most famous museums and attractions: The Munch and Ibsen Museums, Vigeland Sculpture Park, Viking ships over a thousand years old, the Kon-Tiki Museum and Nansen’s polar explorer ship, Fram. A real must-see is the spectacular new Opera House – a triumph of contemporary design. The National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design is also well worth a visit, as is Akerhus medieval fortress and castle.
The Nobel Peace Centre is thought provoking and you can also visit Oslo City Hall, scene of The Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.
The great outdoors
The surrounding region offers fantastic opportunities for outdoor activities such as cycling along the Akerselva river or walking in the picturesque Oslo forest. Why not take the ferry to Hovedøya island and enjoy a picnic followed by a refreshing dip in the fjord.
Trysil, the largest forest community in Norway is just a short distance from Oslo - a comfortable, 3.5 hours bus ride will take you from Oslo centre or from the OSL Airport directly to Trysil. Enjoy the ride through the beautiful unspoilt countryside.
The area is famous for its huge lakes and gentle streams that provide great fishing for the beginner and expert alike.
Bergen - The Gateway to the Fjords
One of Norway’s most beautiful cities and the Gateway to the Fjords with flights from the UK. The city, with almost 1000 years of seafaring history, is surrounded by seven mountains with panoramic views of sea, mountain and fjord. The original settlement and harbour area of Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is lined with gabled warehouses and criss-crossed by fairytale wood-paved alleyways.
For the ultimate look at the city, take the funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen. Stop off at Promsgate on the way down and walk through the narrow streets, lined with wooden houses. Bergen has many museums, including one dedicated to composer Edvard Grieg, where in his home of 22 years at Troldhaugen, he composed many of his best-known works (in a shed by Lake Nordås). And don’t miss Bergen Art Museum with its works by Edvard Munch, or the Maritime Museum with its recreations of Viking ships.
The fjords are only a short drive or boat trip away. Nærøyfjord is the world’s narrowest and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wide, open Hardangerfjord, with its soft shoreline and sprinkling of tiny villages, is a complete contrast. Or take in the stunning beauty of Sognefjord which stretches 200km inland, or the placid beauty of Osterfjord.
Bergen, and its surrounding area, is a great place for a short, active summer break with fishing, hiking, biking, rafting, kayaking, climbing and mountaineering all on offer for everyone from beginners to experts.
In the city there are many stylish shops, while Bergen Fish Market is a lively mix of fish, flowers, fruit, vegetables, handicrafts and souvenirs. Buy freshly boiled shrimps and eat them as you stroll along the waterfront, where you can take a boat tour of the harbour.
The inexpensive Bergen Card gives free or discounted admission to museums, attractions, sightseeing and cultural events, free bus travel and discounts on meals and parking.
There’s a wide selection of historic hotels in Bergen, and restaurants to match. Try Finnegaardstuene with its classic architecture on the wharf, one of Norway’s finest gourmet restaurants. Or Fløien Folkerestaurant with sensational views atop Mount Fløyen, which opened in 1925 and has been sympathetically restored.
Trondheim and Mid-Norway
Situated in Mid Norway, Trondheim is easily accessible and has a rich cultural life with an international flavour. While not a large metropolis, Trondheim's location and opportunities put it on an equal footing with the major cities of Europe.
Tourists flock to Trondheim in the summer when it never seems to get really dark and you can stroll down the peaceful streets of the city to sample some of the wide variety of its nightlife. But Trondheim is a great place to visit other times of the year as well.
Before spring has fully blossomed in the city, the snow in the surrounding mountains is still packed and ready for the avid skier. With a late Easter you might even be able to strip down to a T shirt and ski under a bright warm sun. You can try your hand at cross country skiing or take to the alpine slopes at Vassfjellet near Trondheim. There are also great opportunities for skiing in surrounding areas such as Oppdal and Røros, both situated approximately 150 kilometers from Trondheim.
In May flowers are blooming, the trees are budding their leaves and you can feel spring virtually exploding all around you.
Summer brings beaches, boats, fishing, swimming and walks in the surrounding hills or an interesting stroll down the peaceful streets by the quaint old buildings of this 1000-year old city. During the summer it is possible to experience a number of different cultural events in Trondheim and Mid-Norway. Among the most popular are the St. Olav Festival in Trondheim and the St. Olav Historical play at Stiklestad.
You can also explore fishing, the history of the coast and coastal culture in Mid-Norway by visiting the islands Hitra and Frøya or the peninsula Fosen. These areas can be reached within a few hours drive from Trondheim.
Being on the perimeter of the westerly-wind belt, Trondheim has a mild climate considering how close it is to the polar circle. Through the winter the climate is affected by the Gulf Stream, which thankfully warms the air along the coast. So the winters are usually mild, with a fair share of precipitation. This gives snow cover for approximately 70 to 100 days a year.
Past and present times live together in harmony here. The architecture and the surroundings create a beautiful setting for any outing, should you prefer a guided tour in Nidaros cathedral or a casual stroll through lovely Bakklandet.
The boat trip to historical Munkholmen is a good opportunity to view Trondheim from the seaward side. The view from Tyholt tower Restaurant that rotates 74meters over the ground gives you an exquisite panorama of the city and its surroundings.
Choose between a rich variety of historical sights, museums and art galleries - and look forward to an unforgettable experience, should you prefer a guided tour or a stroll on your own.
Stavanger
At the very heart of the fjords, Stavanger manages to be both a cosmopolitan metropolis and an exquisite, unspoilt getaway. The narrow streets have mountain views in almost every direction, with deep, blue waters lapping against the quaint quayside which celebrates almost 900 years of maritime tradition. Sitting on a peninsula on the fjord, Lysefjorden warmed by the Gulf Stream the climate is mild and the summers wonderful.
This is a centre for exploring the fjordland, yet has plenty of attractions itself – the 12th century Domkirke, built by English craftsmen, is one of Europe’s best preserved medieval cathedrals. There’s also the Stavanger Maritime Museum, the curiously-fascinating Norwegian Canning Museum (with its history of the sardine industry) and the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, even recreating life on an oil rig. The narrow lanes of Old Stavanger are awash with white clapboard and 18th century fishermen’s cottages, while the Jaeren beaches, Norway’s longest sandy shore, with dunes and protected wildlife are just outside town.
Exploring the Lysefjord, the longest and most striking fjord in the Stavanger region with its towering cliffs and rock formations, makes a stunning boat trip. The best views are from the Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), a 604m rock, which is well worth the boat and coach trip – as well as the and two-hour hike. There are also endless opportunities to visit other fjords, either with hired car or by coach, and the hike up into the unspoilt peaks. Valberg Tower, a 19th century watch tower in the heart of Stavanger, has stunning vistas of the city and its watery surroundings.
Stavanger, as an oil industry centre, is full of good hotels. There are also excellent restaurants using the local fish and seafood, as well as a big cafe society spilling out on to the glorious seafront. With Stavanger less than two hours from Britain by plane, it’s possible to come here for a fjord weekend, and with the city being so small you can see the place to the full (and it was a European Capital of Culture in 2008, so there’s plenty going on) in a short break.
Haugesund and Haugalandet
Haugesund is a pretty coastal town in south-west Norway while Haugalandet is the surrounding region, flanked by the glacier Folgefonna to the north and the Preikestolen mountains in the south. Together they’re the perfect holiday destination for exploring the stirring Åkrafjorden fjord which is about 1hr from Haugesund, as well as the seaside and surrounding islands.
Haugesund dates back to Viking times, but has a youthful, energetic feel with its regular festivals, celebrations of everything from jazz to herrings, Vikings to the blues. Sitting on Smedasundet Sound, it offers divine quayside strolls right through the long summer nights, and a chance to soak up the views from the many cafes and restaurants.
In Haugalandet you’ll find brooding forests and shimmering lakes, open pastures and bare mountain tops, glaciers to hike and farms to visit. The Åkrafjorden fjord, less than half an hour’s wonderful drive from town, is spectacularly narrow with mountains rising steeply on either side. Langfoss Waterfall, at the end of the fjord, is the 5th highest in Norway and is rated one of the world’s most beautiful. The walk to the top is strenuous, but the view is worth it. Nearby Vindafjord is renowned for its crystal clear lakes and has one of Norway’s best salmon and trout rivers. Bokna Fjord and the little town of Sauda are also splendid, with waterfalls, mountains and great walks.
Just off the coast is the island of Karmøy with its beautiful white beaches. Here is Avaldsnes, Norway’s oldest royal seat, where you’ll see a church from the Middle Ages, burial mounds, ancient Scandinavian stone monuments and the Viking Heritage Centre.
There’s also the quaint town of Skudeneshavn, which grew rich on herring fishing in the early 19th century, and which has carefully preserved well over 100 fishermen’s cottages and warehouses in its fishing district. Further out – but still just a short boat ride from Haugesund – are Utsira and Røvær with their wild coastlines and rich birdlife.
Just outside Haugesund is Dokken Open Air Museum, a preserved section of Old Haugesund with exhibitions including life during the herring industry period of the 1800s. The town, a busy conference centre, has a number of top hotels, many on the waterfront.
Ålesund and Sunnmøre
Ålesund and Sunnmøre is the perfect place to explore some of Norway's most famous natural and cultural attractions. Its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture is known far and wide.
The myriad of turrets, spires and beautiful ornamentation that give the town its distinctive character are like something from a fairytale. Equally magical is Sunnmøre's profusion of fjords, small fishing communities, island gems and majestic mountains.
Ålesund & Sunnmøre has a rich and varied assortment of natural and cultural attractions. The great variety of sights and the short distances between them allows you to choose just the kind of holiday experience you are looking for.
Those of you with a particular interest, be it in coastal or fjord culture, town history, Viking history, fisheries, language, architecture and design, or flora and fauna, are sure to find the ideal spot to expand your knowledge.
Museums and experience centres often put on theme exhibitions for certain periods, or organise activity days in which the public can take an active part.
Ålesund & Sunnmøre has a wide selection of restaurants, cafés, pubs and nightclubs. Restaurants have both Norwegian and international dishes on the menu, with ingredients taken from Nature's own larder. You will find the greatest choice in Ålesund, which has an abundance of gourmet restaurants and traditional cafés.
Ålesund is also home to the annual Norwegian Food Festival with its bustling crowds and enthusiasm for food. You can also allow yourself to be surprised by the culinary experiences and long pleasant evenings on offer in lovely rural towns like Ulsteinvik, Fosnavåg or Volda and roadside locations in the Sunnmøre district.
The sheer variety of experiences on offer in Ålesund and Sunnmøre gives you the freedom to choose just the holiday experience you are looking for - all year round.
credited to flickr users: mazda6, fjordblick, today_is_a_good_day, NamiQuenby, LarsIvar, ystenes and telegraph.co.uk
